Vatican to tighten discipline for 'ordination' of women?

July 09, 2010

New Vatican norms for the disciplinary handling of clerical misconduct could include treating the attempted ordination of women among the “most serious offenses” brought before the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), according to several news reports.

The Vatican is expected to release new norms for the CDF’s handling of cases, mostly involving the sexual abuse of young people. But the list of delicta graviora could be expanded to include participation in a ceremony at which women claimed priestly ordination, sources report. The Vatican has not commented on the contents of the forthcoming document.

Participation in the attempted ordination of a woman is already an offense punishable by excommunication. But by including it among the delicta graviora to be considered by the CDF, the Vatican could streamline the disciplinary handling of such cases.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!